HrdRockA4305

Since this got brought up in a thread that got closed before I could ask more... should I go with more than an LT1 cam?

Planned combo:

Fresh 10:1 350 Shortblock
Ported L98 Iron heads
LT1 Cam, 1.6 RRs
Edelbrock TBI intake
Ported/Worked TBI unit with 350 injectors
switch to 8746 ECM with 350 Caprice COP PROM

What I want out of it:

Daily driver motor that pulls decent MPG, can handle road trips, can start in cold weather, and pushes enough HP to run mid/high 14s. (Assuming good traction, 3.42 rear end and rebuilt tranny, those will be happening sooner or later). And it can't cost that much. I'm on a college budget, but the present motor is beat to hell and needs replaced. Always replace it with something better.

Since its still in the planning stages... would the LT1 cam be enough to pull this off, or would I be better off with something else? It has to pull good idle vacum to keep the computer happy. And I want my peak HP about 5000-5500 RPMs. LT1 cams are nice and cheap on eBay, and not all too hard to come by.

brharris27370

With your new combo, I would think you would pull low 14's with it. If you add a 95 4.3 S10 torque converter while your at it you may pull high 13's or at least very low 14's. Lt1 cam really runs nice in TBI cars compared to the peanut cam TBI's cam with. 1.6 rockers may push the limit of the stock L98 heads unless you have them machined for that much lift.

Camrs89

Travis will be gitting rid of his cam in the LT1 provided its stock or a mild one. YOu can buy his b/c this will be around the time you want to do your engine.

HrdRockA4305

Dur! I never even thought about that. That'd be perfect. I gotta ask him what he's gonna do with his TBI unit too. Since its already been ported/milled and stuff and has the bigger injectors.... I could use it. He won't be needing it anymore with the LT1 after all. BTW you've still got that 8746 ECM in your garage right? If not, that should be the one he's got, yet another thing that he won't be using after the LT1 goes in. Heck he's got that hypertech chip in it too.... i could even use that for the time being with my present motor. I'd just have to swap ECMs now because that PROM won't work in mine... 88 has some funny computer they like only used that year. I gotta talk to him about this stuff!

Since you'll probably talk to him before me, tell him I'm lookin at LT1 cam, His TBI unit, and ECM+Chip.

Camrs89

He wants to keep all of throttle body and computer just in case he sells the car. But I think you can score the cam though.

HrdRockA4305

Check you're PMs, we'll just continue this there.

Chuck!

Id run a larger cam if it were my car. Try the LT4 hot cam, that has a .525/.525 lift.

brodyscamaro

I, too would go with something a little bit bigger

HrdRockA4305

I've been doing some comparing of specs on SDPC.....

lt4

Duration @ 0.050 (I/E): 203/210
Lift, (I/E): .476"/.480"
Lobe Separation: 115
RPM Range:
Type: Hydraulic roller LT4 Production Cam


lt1

Duration @ 0.050 (I/E): 201/208
Lift, (I/E): .447"/.459"
Lobe Separation: N/A (I've heard its 116)
RPM Range:
Type: Hydraulic roller tappet

lt4 hot

Duration @ 0.050 (I/E): 218 / 228
Lift, (I/E): 0.525" / 0.525"
Lobe Separation: 112
RPM Range: 1500-6000
Type: Hydraulic roller LT4 Hot Cam



Comp Cams 262HR-12

Usage: Fuel Injection
Advertised Duration Int.: 254
Advertised Duration Exh.: 258
Duration @ 0.050 (I/E): 206/210
Lift, (I/E): .450/.480
Lobe Separation: 112
RPM Range: 1000-5000
Type: Hydraulic Roller




The thing that keeps me concerned is idle vacum and computer-happiness. The refular LT4 looks almost the same as the LT1, just with a bit more lift and 1 degree less LSA. If I just got 1.6 rockers I'd pick up that extra lift.. and if I can get a deal on a set... the LT1 might still be the cheapest route unless I find a used LT4 cam. Price is very important, my working budget is pretty shoe-string. Would the more agressive LSA of the LT4 HOT kill my idle vacum, start good in the cold, or be too much cam with the mild intake/heads? Don't wanna miss-match after all. I'm not saying who suggested it was off... I'm just asking lots of questions before I spend any $$.

camaro89rs355

i have an 89 355 tbi camaro, and i was just wanting to know if i put the lt4 hotcam kit with the 1.6 roller rockers, will i have to do any thing to the stock 350 heads?

brodyscamaro

definatetly springs maybe some machine work, and probably screw in studs

camaro89rs355

what if i put vortec heads in place of the stock 350 ones what should i do to the vortec heads

HrdRockA4305

I've heard Vortec heads can't handle much more than .480 or so of lift eitherl. They need to be machined and have bigger springs put in (I know a guy who did)